Inking mechanism for printing-presses.



i No. 725,513. v PATBNTED APR. 14, 1903.

- J. THOMSON.

I-NKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES. APPLICATION LBD FEB. 14. 1902. RENEWED DBO. 4. 1902.

N0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1..

atknnego No. 725,513 I PATENTED APR, 14, 1903. J. THOMSON.

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRINTING PRESSES.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 14, 1902. RENEWED DBO. 4. 1902. no MODEL. I 2 sums-sum: a"

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE. j

JOHN THOMSON, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO JOHN THOMSON PRESS COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

INKING MECHANISM FOR PRlNTlNG-PRESSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 725,513, dated April 14, 1903.

Application filed February 14,1902. Renewed December 4, 1902. Serial No. 133,929. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN THOMSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Brooklyn, in the county of Kings andState of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Inking Mechanism for Printing-Presses, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to inking mechanism ID for printing-presses, and has for its object to improve and simplify the construction so as to adapt the same to meet the requirements of the proper distribution of ink from the minimum to the maximum amount; and to these ends it consists in the various features of construction, arrangement, and combination of parts having the general mode of operation substantiall y as'hereinafter more particularly set forth.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a left-hand side elevation of a portion of a platen printing-press with the invention applied thereto. Fig. 2.is a right-hand side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a detached detail, enlarged, of the vibrating frame con-j nection; and Fig. 4 is a detached detail of the adjusting-lever of the primary distribut ing ink-cylinder.

My present invention relates to inking 3o mechanism for printing-presses, more particularly adapted for use in so-called platen printing-presses, although the general features or principles of my invention can be utilized by those skilled in the art for various purposes and in various connections by adaptations or modifications of details of construction and arrangement without departing from the generalprinciples of the inven-' tion, and I do not, therefore, limit myself to 0 the exact construction and arrangement of parts shown or the use thereof inthe precise manner set forth.

In the accompanying drawings I have illustrated the cooperating parts of a printing press only so far asis necessaryto understand the invention; and I have chosen for illustration substantially such a press as is shown and described in my Patent No. (589,436, granted December 24, 1901, and by 0 reference to this patent or to the general art in this class of presses the mechanismforoperating the parts of the press shown herein will be readily understood.v

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a portion of the frame of the press having a bed 2, (shown more particularly, in dotted lines, Fig. 2,) forming a bearing 3 fora shaft 4, carrying gears 5 5, which gears may be actuated in any usual manner, as by a pinion 5, as in the patentabove referred to, or by any other well-known and usual construction. Applied to the frame 1 are the carriage-ways 6 and 7, in which the ink-distributing carriage B operates, and this can be operated in any desired manner common to printing-presses, as by means of a pitman B, connected to be operated as shownin my patent above referred to or otherwise. This carriage may be of any usual construction, but is shown in the present instance as having the general features of'construction shown in my prior patent and which are not herein specifically described, as they form no part of the presentinvention, it being'understood that the carriage is provided with a number of form-rollers b b, which are adapted to receive the ink from the form-roller-inking cylinders 8 9 andtransfer it to the printing-surface in the usual way. These formroller-inking cylinders 8 9 are shown as mounted in the frame and are adapted to be positively rotated by some suitable connection, and in the present instance I have shown the pinions 10 and 12, the former of which engages the gears 5 and gears on one inking-cylinder, and the second, as 12, transmitsthe motion from one inking-cylinder to the other in a manner clearly shown and well understood, and all the features so far described are substantially as shown and described in detail in my patent above referred to.

One of the features of my present invention relates to the disposal or arrangement ofthe composition distributing-rollers, as 13 14 15, and these are shown as mounted in the frame and having bearings in the form of elongated slots 13 14 15, and which preferably extend horizontally or at right angles to the vertical carriage-ways 6 7. These slots have a I00 relatively extended bearing-surface on their under side, while their upper bearing-surface is somewhat shorter, as clearly shown in the drawings, and this not only permits the ready insertion or removal of the composition distributing-rollers, but allows them to adjust themselves in their bearings so as to maintain frictional contact with the form-rollerinking cylinders 8 9, by which frictional contact the composition distributing-rollers are driven. It well known that these composition rollers change their form somewhat by' contraction orlotherwise, and these hearings permit of the composition distributing-rollers adjusting themselves in relation to the cylinders 8 9, even when they are contracted or reduced in size, as indicated by dotted lines 15 in Fig. 1, so that their surfaces will be in frictional contact with said cylinders under various conditions.

Another distinguishing feature of my present invention relates to the primary distributing ink-cylinder and its mounting and adjustment in relation to the other parts of the inking apparatus, and I have shown such a cylinder, as 16, as preferably a substantial duplicate of the form-roller-inking cylinders 8 9. This primary distributing ink-cylinder, or as it is commonly called changer cylinder, is adapted to reciprocate longitudinally, more or less, as is common in this class of cylinders, and I have indicated at 16 some suitable means for producing this well-known changer action, but will not specifically describe the same herein, as it forms no part of the present invention. This primary distributing ink-cylinder is mounted in a frame 17, which is pivoted to the frame of the press, as at 20, and connected to the frame 17 is means for adjusting the position of the frame and the cylinder carried thereby, and I have shown a hand-lever, as 21, connected to the frame 17, and provided with means whereby it can be adjusted. \Vhile these means may vary and accomplish the same general result, I have shown the hand lever 21 as provided with a hand-screw 22, which may have a bearing directly upon some point of the frame of the press, as 2a; but preferably I interpose between the hand-screw and the bed or bearing 24 a block, as 23, which can be readily placed in or out of position and which may conveniently be attached to the hand-lever by some suitable means, as a chain 25. This block furnishes a quick and satisfactory aid in securing the adjustment of the frame 17 without undue motion or operation of the hand-screw 22, while the hand screw can be moved so as to get a refinement of adjustment. Thus by turning the handscrew inward to thrust against the bed, as 24, and interposed block 23 the primary distributing ink-cylinder 16 in the frame 17 will be swung forward so as to obtain any desired intensity of contact with the composition distributing roller or rollers 13 14 15,and by turning the hand-screwoutward the block is loos- I ened and removed,and (the ductor-roller,hereinafter described, having been first removed) the primary distributing ink-cylinder 16 can be quickly swung backward into the position indicated in dotted lines 16, so as to permit the ready access to and removal of the composition distributing roller or rollers 13 14 15. Furthermore, by partially Withdrawing the hand-screw, without removing the free block 23, the primary distributing ink-cylin' der 16 can be swung back sufficiently to relieve its contact upon the composition distribnting-rollers, as when the press is temporarily out of operation, thereby preventing the formation of indentations in or flattening of the surface of the composition distributing-rollers. By this arrangement it will be seen that any desired nicety of adjustment or hearing between the primary distributing ink-cylinder 16 and the composition distribnting-rollers may be attained by the opera tion of the hand -screw 22, which may be locked in position by the lock-nut 22 or otherwise, and when it is desired to remove the composition distributing-rollers the cylinder can be quickly and readily adjusted to furnish free access thereto. It will be observed that this primary distributing inlccylinder is rotated by frictional contact with one or more of the composition distributing-rollers when the press is in operation.

Another feature of my invention relates to the disposal and adjustment of the ductorroller, which is intended to take the ink from the ink-fountain cylinder and carry it to the primary distributing ink-cylinder 16, and I have shown as mounted on the frame of the press a vibrating frame 18, having bearings for the dnctor-roller 19. Connected to this vibrating frame lSis some suitable means for actuating it, (shown in the present instance as a lever 18%) having on its free end a roller 18*, engaging a cam 18 on one of the gears 5, and by this means the doctor-roller is vibrated between the ink-fountain cylinder and the primary distributing ink-cylinder 16 in a.

manner well understood.

In order to permit adjustment of the duotor-roller, so as to secure the desired degree of contact between it and the primary distributing-ink cylinder at all times according to its relative position, some sort of adjusting means has to be employed between the frame 18 and the lever 18 and in the present instance I have provided a frictional clamping means which is simple and effective and which, as shown, is secured by forming a conical stud, as 27, upon the frame 18, to which is fitted a tapered bearing 28, formed in the lever 18, and the two parts are drawn together by some suitable means, as a handscrew 29, by which the desired degree of friction between the bearing portions of the frame 18 and lever 18 is secured.

An equally important matter of controlling the degree of contact between the ductorroller 19 and the ink-fountain cylinder 26 is secured by providing means for adjusting the ink-fountain with relation to the said ductor-roller, and in the drawings I have t shown adjusting-screwsBO, preferably one adj acent each end of the fountain, which screws operate in the brackets 31 and are provided with collars 32, engaging slots 33 in the bottom of the ink-fountain C.

1 seen that the fountain may be adjusted in proper relation to the doctor-roller by sliding it in or out at each end, so'as to produce a uniform lightv or heavy contact or a light contact at one end and a heavy contact at the other end of the ductor-roller 19, accordsecnredto the fountain-lever, and I have tain-lever 39 the fountain can be removed ing to the requirements of any particular case.

As is usual inthis class of inking appara tus the fountain-cylinder 26 is intermittently revolved, and in the present instance in order to accomplish this I provide connections comprising, essentially, alever 34, pivoted to an extension upon the vibrating frame 18 and preferably carrying a friction-roller 34", engaging a cam 34 in one of the gears 5. Connected to this lever 34,=(which is shown as provided with an arm 35,) is a link 36, pivoted at its lower end, asat 37, to the arm 35, and its upper end'is p'ivotally secured to the fountain-lever 39, whichis shown as pivotally mounted, as at 40, on the ink-fountain frame. The link 36 is preferably detachably teeth 41 on the ratchet-lever 41, which is loosely mounted on the ink-fountain cylinder 26, and which carries a pawl 42, adapted to engage a ratchet 43 on said ink-fountain cylinder. In consequence of this'link connection between the lever 34 and the fountain apparatus the fountain maybe freely adjusted in and out, as before described, and by disconnecting the link 36 from the founfrom the press, as for washing up or otherwise. Moreover, when the link 36'is disconnected from the fountain-lever by means of a handle 39 the fountain-lever can be manually tested before connecting it to be positively actuated by the cam.

Having thus specifically described the embodiments of my invention shown in the accompanying drawings, the advantages will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art; but it may be stated that some of these advantages are that the direct conveyance of the ink from the fountain to a cylinder having a reciprocating or changer action, as cyl- It will thus be.

The forward inder 16, which is also in contact with an of the composition distributing-rollers,and they in turn being also in contact with the formroller-inking cylinders 8 9, insures that the line or band of ink received from the fountain shall be cut and cross-cut to a very high degree of perfection. Furthermore, the intensity of pressure upon the distributing-r011 ers being alike upon each and susceptible of refined adjustment increases the durability and efficiency of the inking apparatus and renders high speeds of operation feasible.

Furthermore, two distinct adjustments ofthe doctor-roller .accomplishes complete control I both in the reception of the ink fromthe fountain and the transposal thereof to the distributing-cylind er.

It will be understood that while I have shown in the present embodiment of my invention two form-roller-inking cylinders 8 9 and three composition distributing rollers l3 14 15 one or more of each of said rollersmay be used in combination, according to the requirements of any particular case.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim is- 1. The combination with a frame having carriage-ways as 6 and 7, and having bearing-slots extending at substantially right angles 'to the carriage-ways, form-roller-inking cylinders mounted in said frame, means for positively rotating said cylinders, compo- 2. In a platen printing-press, the combina tion with a form-roller-inking cylinder, or cylinders, of composition distributing-rollers,. mounted at the rear of, and driven by, the

said cylinder or cylinders, a primary receiv: ing and distributing cylinder, mounted at the rear of and driven by the said distributing-rollers, a ductor-roller and an ink-fountain, the ductor-roller being mounted in a vibrator-frame and constructed and arranged to transfer the inkit receives from the fo'un-j tain directly to the primary distributing-cylinder, substantially, as specified.

. 1 2o The combination with a form-rollenink-I ing cylinder, of a composition distributing roller, a primary distributingink-cylinder adapted to be frictionally operated by the distrib uting-roller,a pivotally-mounted frame supporting the primary distributing ink-cylinder, and means for adjusting said cylinder to and from the distributing-roller, substan- I I tially as described.

' 4. The combination with a form-roller ink ing cylinder, a composition distributing-Y roller, and aprimary distributing'ink-cylimder, of a pivotally-mounted frame supporting said latter cylinder, a hand-lever connected to said frame, and adjustable means for adjusting said hand-lever, substantially as described.

5. The combination with a form-roller-inking cylinder, a composition distributingroller, and a primary distributing ink-cylinder, of a pivotally-mounted frame supporting said latter cylinder, a hand-lever connected to said frame, a hand-screw mounted in said lever, and a free block whereby the said frame may be adjusted, substantially as described.

6. The combination with a form-roller-inking cylinder, a composition distributingroller, and a primary distributing ink-cylinder, of a pivotally-mounted frame supporting said latter cylinder, a hand-lever connected to said frame, a hand-screw, mounted in said lever, a lock-nut connected to said hand-lever, and a free block adapted to be interposed between the hand-screw and bearing-surface, substantially as described.

7. The combination with a primary distributing ink-cylinder, a ductor-roller, a vibrating frame supporting said ductor-roller and ink-fountain, of means for adjusting the vi brating frame to carry the ductor-roller into proper contact With the primary distributing ink-cylinder, and means for adjusting the.

ink-fountain to and from the doctor-roller, substantially as described.

8. The combination with a primary distributing ink-cylinder, and an ink-fountain, of a vibrating frame, a ductor roller mounted therein, a lever 18 connected to said vibrating frame, a cam for operating said lever, and frictional devices connecting said frame and said lever, comprising a tapering stud and bearing, and means for securing them together, substantially as described.

9. The combination with an ink-fountain having an ink-cylinder, of a fountain-lever connected to operate said ink-cylind er, means for actuating said fountain-lever, and a detachable connection between said means and fountain-lever, substantially as described.

10. The combination With an ink-fountain having an ink-cylinder, of a fountain-lever connected to operate said ink-cylinder, an actuating-lever as 34;, a cam for operating said lever, and a detachable link as 36 between said actuating-lever and fountain-lever, substantially as described.

11. The combination with an ink-fountain having an ink-cylinder, of a fountain-lever having an operating-handle and connected to operate the ink-cylinder, an actuating-lever for said fountain-lever, and detachable connections between the actuating lever and fountain-lever, substantially as described.

12. The combination with an ink-fountain having an ink-cylinder, of a fountain-lever, a ratchet-lever mounted on said ink-cylinder and connected to be operated by the fountainlever, means for actuating said fountain-lever,and adetachablelink between said means and said fountain-lever, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOHN THOMSON.

Witnesses:

- C. E. DAVIDSON,

HELEN M. BLANCHFIELD. 

